B2: Pharmacist's role in Health + Safety Flashcards
Hazards
Something with the potential to cause harm
Risk
The chance of harm occurring (Likelihood)
Consequences
The level of harm that will occur following an incident
Risk Assessment
- Identify all significant hazards and record them.
- Identify what control measures are in place.
- Is the risk reduced to a tolerable level?
- Do we need additional control measures?
- Incorporate these into our Manufacturing document/practical method/Standard Operating Procedure etc
Control measures
Actions and/or activities that are taken to prevent,
eliminate or reduce the occurrence of a hazard that
you have identified.
How do you calculate risk severity score
Hazard x Risk x Consequences
- each of the above is assigned a number 1-3 (3 being the worst)
-
When must you review your existing control measures
Risk severity score is more than 3
Give an example of a Law that keeps us safe.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- To protect your employees and anyone else who is exposed to
your work activities.
- Responsibilities for each person – from the directors to yourself
- Inspections & Penalties
Medicines Act 1968*
- Safety, quality, and effectiveness
of medicines and drugs.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971*
- Drugs of abuse (‘Controlled drugs’)
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regs 2002
- Chemicals, dust, micro-organisms that are hazardous to health :
— You cannot expose your employees without a Risk Assessment
— Prepare for possible incidents – first aid kits, alarms, spillage kits
— Information, instruction and training as appropriate
—- Control measures (eg Personal protection) to be supplied and used
• Monitor exposure and health if necessary.
Why is health + safety important to your future role as Pharmacists?
- You are one of the Specialists
- Expert in drugs and medicines
- Treat illness (‘therapy’) and protect the public
— Correct use/advice essential for effective use of drugs
— Drugs are potent. If wrongly used, poisoning is a real
possibility.
— Pharmacists are the legal guardians of drugs in the UK.
What is PPE? When might you need more protection
Lab coat Gloves Safety goggle Suitable footwear Tie hair
May need extra protection when there have been accidents + near-misses to call a first aider or a member of staff.
Control measures to keep people safe during hazardous procedure
- Fume Cabinets
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Storage Cabinets
- Segregation
- Waste disposal
- Report accidents/near-misses to a member of staff
- ventilation (clean air)
- Training, supervision of staff
- Information, instruction, SOP’s
- alarms
How do companies cope with legislation
•Policies that incorporate the Legislation.
•Written Procedures on how to do things (eg Standard Operating
Procedures, SOPs)
•Systems for Safety and Quality Management.
•Staff are instructed, trained and supervised.
•Managers monitor implementation an compliance
Wider information sources
•Your employer’s safety advisors and guidance.
•Health and Safety Executive
•Europa – the health and safety website for the EU
•World Health Organisation
•BNF – emergency poisoning – TOXBASE, UK poisons info service
•Web safety forums
Your Professional and Trade bodies
•Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Biology
•Royal Pharmaceutical Society
•Pharmacists Defence Association
•Trade Unions
Examples of hazards
- Corrosive chemical
- Flammable solvent
- Electrical equipment
- Heavy boxes
- Addict with no Methadone prescription!
Waste disposal
There are two categories of waste solvent:
• Non-halogenated waste
• Halogenated Organic waste
• If you have a mixture please consult the schedule or a member of staff
• User Procedure:
• The waste should be poured into the appropriate labelled container,
which is provided in the laboratory
• NEVER MIX HALOGENATED WITH NON-HALOGENATED WASTE!
